The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1887-1896, 1887-03-13

half laughing and half crying, strokcd his long
uoh, Jack, whatever made you como like
thisY What do you intend TO do',
"This, my sweetest" and the bold lover drew
from bis pocket marriage license and we'd
ding ring Half playfully the gallant Licutcn-
ant removed Maudes glove and slipped on
tn the ,nS mWnat dear .n ,, so hand iiIok s
BIO when can call its dear owner my sweet
little wife"
A slight sound fell on their cars, and look
ing up they behcld Maj. Henderson not a hun
dred yards of.
Maudc would have been grateful to tho earth
had II opened at that moment 10 receive her,
but as II showed no signs Of accommodating
her, she disengaged herself from Mr.. Brownies
embrace and hastily handed him back the ring.
Mr.. Browne. was equal TO the. occasion,
although he had grave misgiyings, as he hobbled
toward Mai. Henderson, "werc you Fastening
to Join us' You see we haven't got far am
wrctchcd walker at the best OF times, and in
such scenery as this one feels forced to pause
frequcntlyto look around"
81 expected TO meet you coming back" ex-
claimed tho Major. "But ] was looking for
you In that direction" indicating another path
more to the right. ~ was quite surprised
when saw you coming toward me"
With what feelings Of relief did the lovers
AT their early dinner the Major drew from
his pocket letter which he had received by
the mornings post and had forgotten to read
With polite EXCUSE me, my dear" to his
niece he hastily glanced at the contents ~
must leave for London by the 1l-o'clock train
tomorrow morning." no exclaimed. "This let
ter is Of the utmost importance. How stupid
of me to have delayed reading ~
IAN TO accompany you, uncle" asked
Maude, family.
s'No, no, my dear; there's no need for you to
do that. shall be back here by the evening of
the following day."
The Major was very prcoccuped until dinner
was over, but as Maudc had also much food for
reflection silence was agreeable TO both.
~ wonder II 1 could do anything for Mr.,
Browne while 1 am In town." queried the
Major. "My dear" turning TO Ma,idc, ''just
write a little note to him asking him to step
over for a minute. You know we half prom
afternoon. don't feel inclined for any more
walking myself, but there Is no reason why you
shouldn't accompany him, II you are not tired
and he Is agreeable to the arrangement"
Maude's note quickly brought Mr. Browne,
and the lovers were soon on their way TO Fairy
Glen.
"My darling, we are In luck's way" ex-
claimed Jack. "Your uncle's absence will
make matters as simple as an a B Cguide
shall have Tomorrow to make the necessary
arrangements. We can be married the follow
Ing morning, aud by the time your uncle re-
turns In the evening we shall he miles away
from here"
Maide acquiesced rather reluctantly. She
loved Jack dearly, but still she had some com
junction about deceiving her uncle, who, with
the exception of the unaccountable obstinacy
he had shown toward her lover, had always
been ready to humor her. Jack, however, drew
such n glowing picture of the happiness In
store for them and declared with so much con-
fidence Mai Hendersons anger would not last
IN
BILE step was taken that Maude was much com
forted.
When they returned Mai. Henderson pressed
Mr.. Browne TO spend the evening at Honey
suckle Cottage. Tea being over, the Major
asked Maude II she would mind packing his
portmanteau for him.
81 have laid out the things want to take,
my dear. You will NJ them In more neatly
than could"
Maude was delighted TO have an opportu-
nifty of doing last, a little kindly act.
Directly she had left the room the Major be-
gan hdgeting about, and at length got up and
paced the room. Suddenly turning to Mr..
Browne, he said Comparative stranger as
you are to me, feel as II l must tell you the
nature of the business which is calling mo to
London SO unexpectedly. The blow has fallen
SO suddenly that to speak of IT would be an i'm
mense relief"
The stranger was all sympathetic attention in
a moment.
"Mr Browne" continued the Major, ex-
citedly, "this time yesterday l believed that
poor girl up stairs to DO the mistress Of fairly
large fortune. To-day-if the information ]
received this morning is correct-I know her to
be penniless. And that is not ALL the greater
part, II not the whole, Of my income is lost
also"
So sympathetic was Mr.. Browne that he
begged to know all the details These, how
ever, the Major was unable to furnish; in fact,
he could explain nothing satisfactorily, so great
was the state of excitement into which he had
worked himself.
"Iiush I" he said, as he heard Maude ap-
preaching. "Not word to her; wouldn't
disturb her piece of mind for worlds, poor
girl, until / am certain how the matter stands.
The next day, about an hour after her uncle
had left for London, Maude received the fol-
lowing penciled note from Mr. Browne:
My OWN DARLING: am the most unlucky
dog that ever lived / passed n wretched
night, and this morning l am too III to leave
have arranged for the event which is to make
me the happIcst man in England. have sent
for the village "bones," and II he can but patch
me up II may not yet he too late. Send n book
| back by bearer, to account for having received
| letter from your nearly frantic JACK.
Poor Maudc! The torturing suspense Of
that day In the evening she ventured to ask
the landlady to inquire how Mr.. Browne was
mo better" was the alarming reply.
Maude passed a sslecpless night. In the
dear Jack, even more despairing in its tone
| than the former one. "Fate IL against u.s." he
wrote; ~ feel ms II shall never he able TO cal
! you mine"
In the middle of the day she again sent to in
quire after her lover, and was overjoyed when
she heard he was much better, and was even
thinking of getting up, his recovery bidding
| fair to be as sudden nR his seizure.
That evening Maj. Henderson returned
Hardly had he knocked at the door when Mr.
"What news, sir?" asked the sympathetic
Mr.. Browne.
"Thc worst possible" replied the Major
throwing himself into an easy chair and cover
ing his face with his hands "That poor cir
yonder IS beggar, and ! have but a hundred .
Maude looked from one to the other In utte
! bewilderment, and then crossed over to hel
uncle, trying to comfort him and gain some ex
PLANTATION at the same time
| 81 feel this is no scene for stranger to wit
ness" said Mr.. Browne. "Sir, you have my
deepest sympathy, and l am sure that at thu
present moment can show II In no better way
than by Withdrawing"
Maude followed her lover to the door. Sh,
was much distressed on her uncle's account
but did not fully realize her own loss of for
| tune.
"Are you really better, dearJnck ~ she asked
anxiously.
"Yes, thank you. Quite cured. Goodbye
| HIlu ue Wub hoHe.
That her lovers devastating was little alb
rupt did strike Maude; she was, however, fa
too confused by the turn affairs had takel
To attach much Importance to tho first circum
| stance.
When she returned to her uncle he seemet
wonderfully better, and at supper he talket
quite checrfully Of their future.
Maude passed another slecpless night. Sh
did not SO much mind the terrible loss she Ina,
sustained ON her own account, but she wa
bitterly disappointed that she could not do al
she had promised for her dear Jack. She dc
termined, however, to be the most loving ant
economical wife possible. At all events he
uncle would not be able TO accuse Jack Of bein,
mercenary now, and there was much cOmfor
In that reelection. Perhaps after all they woul,
be able to have aproper wedding, only Of cours
It would have to be a very quiet one. How
much nicer that would be than running AVA
and deceiving her uncle, who had always beef
so kind to her.
When she came down TO breakfast the mex